Process

Process

Radiocarbon Dating Analysis at DirectAMS

Sample Receiving

Email confirmation of receipt is sent to the submitter of record on the Submission Form, as well as any requested associates and the invoicing contact. This email receipt serves as our standard, formal contract with you, containing:

Confirmation of your sample identifiers

Corresponding D-AMS identification numbers

A tentative quote for the services requested

Initial observations or policies that may apply

Acknowledgement of any special requests

The date on which to expect results

Contact information for specific inquiries.

Sample Processing

Samples are photographed and inspected for appropriateness of the requesetd services. Any discrepancies are discussed with the submitter. Samples then proceed through portioning/subsampling, physical and chemical pre-treatment protocols, production of CO2 by combustion or acid digestion, reduction of CO2 to graphite, preparation of graphite for measurement, measurement of carbon isotopes by Accelerator Mass Spectrometer (AMS), and data analysis, as appropriate for the type of sample submitted.